Counterterrorism assessment urges repatriation of Shamima Begum and other British-linked individuals in Syria 

The counterterrorism evaluation is calling on the British to repatriate Shamima Begum and other British-linked people in Syria. 

The former east London schoolgirl who joined the Islamic State – Shamima Begum and other individuals with British connections who are incarcerated in camps in Syria must be returned, a significant rethink of UK counterterrorism policy has recommended.

According to an independent commission report, existing policy of imprisoning such women, men and children, in limbo was unsustainable and could make detention camps in northeastern Syria their own Guantanamo in Britain. This alludes to the notorious prison of the US in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba that was purposefully applied to keep the al Qaeda suspects in perpetual detention.

It has been cautioned by the Independent Commission on UK Counterterrorism that the situation in the Syrian camps, such as AI Hol and AI Roj, amounts to inhuman and degrading treatment.  It is still not evident how many British citizens, including people like Begum, who lost her citizenship due to joining Islamic State (IS), are stuck in the camps. 

The commission recommended that the British nationals, including those who had been denied the British nationality, should be allowed to repatriate voluntarily by the government. It must designate a special envoy to control repatriation and remind the returnees that they are likely to face prosecution. 

The change in the regime in Syria and as more states recall their nationals coupled with US government pressure which has urged all states to recall their nationals may compel the government to start the returns the commission said, the would be Europe becomes Guantanamo of Britain.

The cited research in the report revealed that the level of risk gave more preference to the former (repatriating British-linked people) over the latter (leaving them alone in Syria and exposing them to the possibility of further radicalisation). 

The commission opined that the long-term est approach of risk management is an organised programme of return, rehabilitation and integration because escapes out of the canos are likely to result in returns of the refugees on their part back to the UK. 

The most notable prisoner in the AI Roj refugee camp is Shamima Begum, who is 26 years old. Later year, she appealed in vain to have her British citizenship revoked. In 2015, Begum was aged 15, and he went to Syria together with two of his friends. After arriving she soon got married to an Islamic State fighter. They were blessed with 3 children and none of them survived. Since 2019, she has been stuck in the camp. 

Besides the suggestion on what to do with British-linked citizens arrested in Syria, the report concentrated on enhancing counterterrorism activities in the UK. Most notably, it had discovered that the Prevent counter-terrorist strategy used in the UK is no longer serving the country well and requires a radical redesign.